Policy & Politics Journal Blog

by Toby S. James and Alistair Clark

In their recent article published in Policy & Politics, Toby S. James and Alistair Clark explore how the perspectives of poll workers can inform and improve election delivery. They argue that these frontline workers—often marginalised in both research and practice—hold crucial knowledge about the functioning and fairness of democratic processes. Drawing on Carole Pateman’s theory of workplace democracy, they propose a model that listens to, and learns from, the people who help run elections on the ground.

The authors make clear that their argument is not in favour of direct decision-making power by poll workers. Rather, they advocate for institutional mechanisms—such as post-election audits or deliberative forums—through which poll-worker feedback can be collected, synthesised and used to inform reform. In doing so, they frame poll-worker voice as an underused but important part of democratic resilience.

The article draws on new empirical data from a 2023 survey of poll workers in England—the first nationwide election held under new voter ID requirements. These reforms were introduced in the name of preventing fraud, yet fewer than 1% of respondents reported suspected personation. Meanwhile, over 70% of poll workers reported turning away at least one eligible voter. Some suggested that married women were disproportionately affected when their name did not match the name on their ID.

In addition to identifying issues with voter access, many poll workers raised concerns about the practical delivery of elections. These included problems with training, cumbersome paperwork, digital inefficiencies, and poor working conditions—from inadequate heating to unpaid preparation time. Despite this, most said they would work on future elections and many gave detailed suggestions for improvement, including modernising equipment and widening the range of acceptable ID.

By expounding poll-worker experiences, the authors show that these individuals are not simply neutral administrators but knowledgeable practitioners with a distinctive perspective on what works—and what doesn’t—in election delivery. Their insights can highlight early signs of administrative failure or democratic exclusion.

James and Clark conclude that incorporating poll-worker voice is not only a matter of good management but of democratic principle. In an era of heightened scrutiny and pressure on electoral processes, listening to those at the frontline of implementation could enhance both performance and trust. As the authors suggest, poll workers may not hold the power to reform elections directly—but they are often the first to see when reforms go wrong.

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You can read the original research in Policy & Politics at

James, T. S., and Clark, A. (2025). The value of poll-worker voice in the delivery of elections. Policy & Politics (published online ahead of print 2025), available from: < https://doi.org/10.1332/03055736Y2025D000000073>

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